Free Things to Do in Washington DC

Washington DC is the best free city in America. Every Smithsonian museum (17 of them) is free. The monuments are free. The National Zoo is free. The Capitol is free. You could spend a week in DC without paying a single admission fee.

The Smithsonian (All Free)

National Air and Space Museum — The Wright Flyer, Apollo 11 command module, a lunar touchrock, and the Spirit of St. Louis. One of the most popular museums in the world.

National Museum of Natural History — The Hope Diamond, dinosaur fossils, an insect zoo, and the ocean hall with a life-size blue whale model.

National Museum of African American History and Culture — The newest Smithsonian (opened 2016). Slavery, the civil rights movement, and African American culture. Free timed-entry passes required (book ahead — they go fast).

National Museum of American History — The original Star-Spangled Banner, Dorothy’s ruby slippers, Julia Child’s kitchen, and Abraham Lincoln’s top hat.

National Zoo — Giant pandas (check current status), great apes, big cats, and a free zoo in a beautiful Rock Creek Park setting.

All 17 Smithsonian museums and galleries are free. Every day. No tickets needed for most (NMAAHC requires timed passes). This is the greatest collection of free museums on earth.

The National Mall & Monuments (Free)

Lincoln Memorial — Open 24 hours. Most powerful at night when the Memorial is lit and the Reflecting Pool stretches toward the Washington Monument.

Washington Monument — Free tickets (timed entry) for the elevator to the top — 360-degree views of DC from 555 feet.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial — The Wall. Over 58,000 names. Visitors leave flowers, letters, and mementos.

World War II Memorial — 56 pillars representing states and territories, flanking a plaza with fountains.

MLK Memorial — A 30-foot stone sculpture of Dr. King on the Tidal Basin.

Jefferson Memorial — Classical rotunda on the Tidal Basin. Spectacular during cherry blossom season (late March/early April).

Free Tours

US Capitol — Free guided tours of the Capitol building. Book at visitthecapitol.gov.

Library of Congress — The most beautiful building in DC. Free to enter and tour.

National Archives — See the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights. Free.

Cherry Blossoms (Late March / Early April)

The Tidal Basin’s cherry trees (a gift from Japan in 1912) bloom for approximately two weeks each spring. The peak bloom draws millions of visitors. Walking the Tidal Basin path during bloom is one of the most beautiful free experiences in America.

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